Meet Chateau ZZ’s, Miami’s Newest Showstopper
From Carbone and Dirty French to Sadelle’s and beyond, there’s no arguing that Major Food Group has dominated Miami’s dining scene. So it should come as no surprise that the global hospitality group has opened a restaurant concept exclusively for Miami.
The result? Chateau ZZ’s – an upscale Mexican restaurant inside of a historic, French chateau-inspired building, which might sound like a surprising mashup until you hear from MFG co-founder Jeff Zalaznick on why it felt meant to be.
“There’s no mansion in Miami that comes even close to matching the uniqueness of this property — an unbelievable destination that feels as if it was built for Major Food Group and the creation of Chateau ZZ’s,” Zalaznick says.
In fact, Chateau ZZ’s is a first in many ways. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest Major Food Group hot spot.
1. This is Major Food Group’s first exclusive-to-Miami restaurant.
Major Food Group has rapidly expanded its restaurant empire in Miami since first opening Carbone in South Beach in 2021. Since then, their local portfolio has grown to include Sadelle’s Coconut Grove, Sadelle’s at Kith Design District, HaSalon, Contessa, Dirty French Steakhouse, ZZ’s Courtyard, ZZ’s Club … and now Chateau ZZ’s.
But this is the first concept that’s entirely exclusive to Miami.
If you’re wondering what came first – the location or the concept – Major Food Group came across the Petit Douy building and was inspired to develop a restaurant for the space. “It was a great historic Miami location that we felt compelled to program,” Mario Carbone says. “This cuisine felt very much at home in this space to us.”
The team was inspired by Hollywood’s golden age, the era during which the chateau was constructed. It was a time of theatricality in American dining – hence the tuxedo-clad service captains at Chateau ZZ’s – and also a period when a new generation of Mexican restaurants came onto the U.S. restaurant scene.
2. This is also Major Food Group’s first Mexican restaurant.
Perhaps best known as the kings of upscale Italian, Major Food Group concepts span cuisines like Italian, Japanese, and French — but never before Mexican. “It’s a cuisine that we’ve always had great love and admiration for,” Carbone says.
At Chateau ZZ’s, expect a menu complete with the always-essential guacamole, seafood and raw bar selections, and entrees served with freshly steamed flour tortillas, salsas, and bountiful plates of garnishes like radishes, herbs, and limes.
Even still, the menu takes some non-traditional twists, as is to be expected from Major Food Group. Take the porchetta, for instance: a slow-roasted pork belly that blends Italian and Mexican traditions, including that crispy skin treatment. And don’t miss the various housemade tostadas with toppings like caviar and crema, Wagyu and truffle, lobster and jalapeño, or fried egg and Iberico ham.
3. And this is the first time the chateau is open to the public.
This historic 1931 chateau, formerly known as Petit Douy, was inspired by the Priory of Saint-Julien, a monastery in the village of Douy, France. Built as a private residence and designated as a historically protected building, the two-floor European-style estate has been beautifully restored and is now open to the public for the first time.
There’s a solarium that serves as a sunlit dining area, lush gardens, a bar and lounge, and a private second floor space (more to come on that).
“I always love the opportunity to tackle spaces that have great age and providence. I like to imagine the people and the stories that have come before it and I use that as fuel for what I do with it,” Carbone says.
4. Make sure to try the Mexican spirits.
Designed to pair with their menu, the Chateau ZZ’s Tequila and mezcal collection spans over 1,000 options, including rare bottles you likely won’t find at any other restaurant. Of course, there are also classic and creative Mexican cocktails, from margaritas and Micheladas to palomas and frozen drinks.
Nathan McCarley-O’Neill, Head of Bar Operations for Major Food Group, recommends ordering the John Wayne when you visit: a mix of smooth Don Julio 1942 and rich Grand Marnier Cuvee, balanced with a splash of fresh lime. “This cocktail is an homage to classic elegance. Each sip delivers a complex blend of aged Tequila and refined richness,” he says.
5. Oh, and members should head upstairs.
Up a private staircase, the second floor of the chateau holds a cozy members-only space for ZZ’s Club members (that’s MFG’s private club). The secluded yet sophisticated club room includes an old-world lounge with a fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and a covered terrace. The best part? It comes complete with one of the largest sipping Tequila lists in the country, says Carbone.
If you make it in, here’s a pro tip from the chef: Ask for the special off-menu quesadilla.
